With the Group 20 season now buried without premierships being awarded on grand final day, clubs will now turn their sights on setting up the foundation for 2022.
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The Black and Whites finished as minor premiers in first grade but also in under 16s, where they made their return after a couple of season absent from that grade.
First-grade coach Andrew Lavaka feels that having the under 16s side back on the park was one of the highlights of his season.
"That is what we needed," he said.
"We wanted to provide more and be more inclusive with the kids because you can see the numbers dropping within the 16s and 18s bracket.
"We need to try and do some good in promoting our game to keep these kids active. To have 16s at our club this year was the highlight from my point of view."
Lavaka feels that being able to keep kids interested in the games falls on the older players in the club to step up and make them feel invited and involved.
"These kids are driven by what they see and what they get," he said.
"If you have role models in the community that take the kids under their belt and just helping them out for where they need to be. I think that is how we keep them coming through.
It comes down to having good role models at the club."
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While the first-grade side didn't get the chance to test themselves in the final series and try and pick up a premiership in what was their centenary season, Lavaka is looking at the positives to come out of the season.
"I was pretty happy with where we were going, but unfortunately, we couldn't finish it. It was a bit of a tough pill to swallow," he said.
"We were just grateful to get the opportunity to play footy again after having 12 months off. I feel like the communities really needed it more than us just getting out their playing footy.
"Now we just have to get vaccinated so that we have the chance to finish it properly next year."
It was a special season for Lavaka, who got to coach alongside his brother Uafu after not having the chance to in 2019.
"I feel privileged that I was able to do that with my brother," he said.
"Doing anything alongside your family is pretty important, and it was pretty surreal to coach with him."
As for next season, Lavaka will be around the Black and Whites in some way after having such a strong 2021 season.
"I'll never say never (to coaching again). I'd love to be around the Black and Whites again next year in whatever role I will still be there," he said.
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